Date posted: 02/11/12
1952 to 2012--- Dedication to duty.
A Lifetime of Service
This year the current Monarch celebrates a 60 year reign .. the only other Monarch to do so being Queen Victoria in
1897. A number of celebrations are planned to mark this event though three major ones are the Diamond Jubilee
River Pageant, the Diamond Jubilee Concert and the opening of a new park in the Monarch's name.
The organisers of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant have today revealed the major details of the 1000-boat tribute to Her
Majesty The Queen’s 60-year reign.One of the largest public events ever held in London, the Pageant will take place
on Sunday 3rd June - on the River Thames from Putney to Tower Bridge. The flotilla itself will be over seven miles
long and – including mustering, dispersal and the avenue of sail – will include some 25 miles of Thames river bank
and pass under 14 bridges. It will take 90 minutes to pass any given point. This unique spectacle, inspired by a rich
history and tradition of entertainment and theatre on the Thames, is expected to include 20,000 participants on the
water, millions of spectators on the river banks and London’s public spaces and a global audience expected by the
major broadcasters to number many hundreds of millions.
A line up of musical stars from the worlds of rock and pop, along with the best of classical music and musical theatre,
will perform at the other planned highlight celebratory event; The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, on Monday 4th
June is to be staged in the stunning surroundings of the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace the
official London Residence of the Monarch. This historic concert is set to be a musical celebration of The Queen’s 60-
year reign and will be attended by Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and other
Members of the Royal Family bringing together leading names in the music industry to perform. The line - up includes
Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Paul McCartney, Jessie J. Annie Lennox and J.L.S. amongst
others.
The 2012 Games site in east London will be named the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park in fitting tribute to the
Monarch. The site in Stratford, which includes the velodrome the wave-shaped aquatic centre and the stadium, is
located in a 500-acre site next to the River Lee and the park will come into effect in 2013 after the site reopens
following the Games having been held there this year 2012.
Diana Says ...
" I always had and retained the greatest respect for Her Majesty doing the "Top Job" as I called it. I think it pretty
impressive that at the age of 86 her physical energy seems boundless and her continued loyalty and dedication to her
Kingdom is something held by her in a number of formidable ways both touring within the country as well as abroad and
especially within the Commonwealth which she has always supported. Serving her Kingdom for 60 years is something
that therefore certainly merits celebrating.
I have always said Her Majesty is the last of the Regal Royals. Recently in a television documentary something
remarked upon by both my boys being that whilst they might endeavour to do their bit for the Royals, they are in awe of
their Grandmother; the professional at work. Both enjoy speaking to her about the wealth of experience gained by her
over the years as Monarch and readily admit learning from that themselves. "
Diana.
Queen's message for her Diamond Jubilee and marking 60 years on the throne.
" Today I mark 60 years as your Queen. I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that
you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so
many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.
In this special year as I dedicate myself anew to your service. I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of
togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been
fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel
throughout the United Kingdom and the wider commonwealth.
I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since
1952 and to look forward to the future with a clear head and a warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.
I send my sincere good wishes to you all."
Elizabeth R.
Date posted: 02/11/12
August 31st 2010
Tony Blair: Diana was a manipulator like me!
Diana, Princess of Wales was down to earth, charming and intelligent, but also stubborn and prone to be over-
emotional, says Mr Tony Blair ... He recalls meeting Diana, Princess of Wales at Chequers in July 1997, the month
before she died, saying he felt an uneasiness about her relationship with Dodi Fayed but could not put his finger on
why. He says she did not appreciate him broaching the subject with her.
“We were both, in our own way, manipulators” — good at grasping the feelings of others and instinctively playing on
them.
Giving his first account of what happened on the night she died, Mr Blair says he was woken at 2am on Aug 31, 1997
by a police officer at the end of his bed, who told him that Diana had been badly injured.
He knew from the beginning that her chances of survival were poor, and was told of her death at 4am. Mr Blair says
that, without wishing to sound callous, he wanted to “manage” the situation and shape the public grief that would follow.
It was difficult because there were no conventions for the death of a person such as Diana, Princess of Wales. He
prepared his now famous “People’s Princess” speech on the back of an envelope with the help of Alastair Campbell
He felt that the royal family’s lack of response to her death was dangerous for them in the face of a massive
outpouring of public grief and felt a duty to protect the monarchy from itself.
He says he did his best, even though some members of the Establishment did not like who he was and what he
represented. Mr Blair felt that he could not be direct with the Queen about the gravity of the situation so he spoke to
the H.R.H. Prince of Wales, who agreed with him and said he would tell the Queen that Mr Blair thought that she
should make a public statement. She agreed.
After the funeral, Mr Blair spent the weekend at Balmoral, where he felt a little uncomfortable, and could not have got
through it with out the stiff drink that was served up before dinner.
He spent a lot of time alone with the Queen and says it was hard for her to accept the public perception that he was
telling her what to do. He did not know the Queen well then and they were both ill at ease with one another. “I spoke,
with passion, of the need to accept life’s lessons. I worried she found me presumptuous — she was a little haughty.”
By the end of the weekend the Queen accepted that she had learned some lessons.
A year later he spent a weekend at Balmoral with Cherie, who wanted to bring the children, but he told her this was out
of the question. They had a barbecue where the Royal family served the food and did the dishes. “You think I’m
joking? You’re sitting in front of your empty plate and suddenly, the Queen clears it away for you.” Mr Blair says he
spoke to Prince William who was still angry about his mother’s death. He believes he felt burdened by the “prison of
hereditary tradition”.
Rare photo of these three generaions of Royal femininity together.
1952 to 2012--- Dedication to duty.
A Lifetime of Service
This year the current Monarch celebrates a 60 year reign .. the only other Monarch to do so being Queen Victoria in
1897. A number of celebrations are planned to mark this event though three major ones are the Diamond Jubilee
River Pageant, the Diamond Jubilee Concert and the opening of a new park in the Monarch's name.
The organisers of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant have today revealed the major details of the 1000-boat tribute to Her
Majesty The Queen’s 60-year reign.One of the largest public events ever held in London, the Pageant will take place
on Sunday 3rd June - on the River Thames from Putney to Tower Bridge. The flotilla itself will be over seven miles
long and – including mustering, dispersal and the avenue of sail – will include some 25 miles of Thames river bank
and pass under 14 bridges. It will take 90 minutes to pass any given point. This unique spectacle, inspired by a rich
history and tradition of entertainment and theatre on the Thames, is expected to include 20,000 participants on the
water, millions of spectators on the river banks and London’s public spaces and a global audience expected by the
major broadcasters to number many hundreds of millions.
A line up of musical stars from the worlds of rock and pop, along with the best of classical music and musical theatre,
will perform at the other planned highlight celebratory event; The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, on Monday 4th
June is to be staged in the stunning surroundings of the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace the
official London Residence of the Monarch. This historic concert is set to be a musical celebration of The Queen’s 60-
year reign and will be attended by Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and other
Members of the Royal Family bringing together leading names in the music industry to perform. The line - up includes
Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Paul McCartney, Jessie J. Annie Lennox and J.L.S. amongst
others.
The 2012 Games site in east London will be named the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park in fitting tribute to the
Monarch. The site in Stratford, which includes the velodrome the wave-shaped aquatic centre and the stadium, is
located in a 500-acre site next to the River Lee and the park will come into effect in 2013 after the site reopens
following the Games having been held there this year 2012.
Diana Says ...
" I always had and retained the greatest respect for Her Majesty doing the "Top Job" as I called it. I think it pretty
impressive that at the age of 86 her physical energy seems boundless and her continued loyalty and dedication to her
Kingdom is something held by her in a number of formidable ways both touring within the country as well as abroad and
especially within the Commonwealth which she has always supported. Serving her Kingdom for 60 years is something
that therefore certainly merits celebrating.
I have always said Her Majesty is the last of the Regal Royals. Recently in a television documentary something
remarked upon by both my boys being that whilst they might endeavour to do their bit for the Royals, they are in awe of
their Grandmother; the professional at work. Both enjoy speaking to her about the wealth of experience gained by her
over the years as Monarch and readily admit learning from that themselves. "
Diana.
Queen's message for her Diamond Jubilee and marking 60 years on the throne.
" Today I mark 60 years as your Queen. I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that
you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so
many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.
In this special year as I dedicate myself anew to your service. I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of
togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been
fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel
throughout the United Kingdom and the wider commonwealth.
I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since
1952 and to look forward to the future with a clear head and a warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.
I send my sincere good wishes to you all."
Elizabeth R.
Date posted: 02/11/12
August 31st 2010
Tony Blair: Diana was a manipulator like me!
Diana, Princess of Wales was down to earth, charming and intelligent, but also stubborn and prone to be over-
emotional, says Mr Tony Blair ... He recalls meeting Diana, Princess of Wales at Chequers in July 1997, the month
before she died, saying he felt an uneasiness about her relationship with Dodi Fayed but could not put his finger on
why. He says she did not appreciate him broaching the subject with her.
“We were both, in our own way, manipulators” — good at grasping the feelings of others and instinctively playing on
them.
Giving his first account of what happened on the night she died, Mr Blair says he was woken at 2am on Aug 31, 1997
by a police officer at the end of his bed, who told him that Diana had been badly injured.
He knew from the beginning that her chances of survival were poor, and was told of her death at 4am. Mr Blair says
that, without wishing to sound callous, he wanted to “manage” the situation and shape the public grief that would follow.
It was difficult because there were no conventions for the death of a person such as Diana, Princess of Wales. He
prepared his now famous “People’s Princess” speech on the back of an envelope with the help of Alastair Campbell
He felt that the royal family’s lack of response to her death was dangerous for them in the face of a massive
outpouring of public grief and felt a duty to protect the monarchy from itself.
He says he did his best, even though some members of the Establishment did not like who he was and what he
represented. Mr Blair felt that he could not be direct with the Queen about the gravity of the situation so he spoke to
the H.R.H. Prince of Wales, who agreed with him and said he would tell the Queen that Mr Blair thought that she
should make a public statement. She agreed.
After the funeral, Mr Blair spent the weekend at Balmoral, where he felt a little uncomfortable, and could not have got
through it with out the stiff drink that was served up before dinner.
He spent a lot of time alone with the Queen and says it was hard for her to accept the public perception that he was
telling her what to do. He did not know the Queen well then and they were both ill at ease with one another. “I spoke,
with passion, of the need to accept life’s lessons. I worried she found me presumptuous — she was a little haughty.”
By the end of the weekend the Queen accepted that she had learned some lessons.
A year later he spent a weekend at Balmoral with Cherie, who wanted to bring the children, but he told her this was out
of the question. They had a barbecue where the Royal family served the food and did the dishes. “You think I’m
joking? You’re sitting in front of your empty plate and suddenly, the Queen clears it away for you.” Mr Blair says he
spoke to Prince William who was still angry about his mother’s death. He believes he felt burdened by the “prison of
hereditary tradition”.
Rare photo of these three generaions of Royal femininity together.
Royal barge
going under the
Tower bridge.
going under the
Tower bridge.
Artist rendition of
what the concert in
front of
Buckingham Palace
may look like.
what the concert in
front of
Buckingham Palace
may look like.
Oueen's Royal
Carriage.
Carriage.
